'Wheel of Time' Novel series Going to big Screen at Universal

Venkman here - It looks like Universal pictures has nabbed the rights  of the late Robert Jordan's Bestselling 'The Wheel of Time' books. It a seven figure deal so someone has made a lot of money.

The first movie will be from the first book in the series 'The Eye of the World'. The trades report:

Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon will produce for Red Eagle Entertainment, which published graphic novel adaptations of Jordan's books.

"Wheel of Time" books have sold 44 million copies worldwide and spawned computer, trading-card and role-playing games; a soundtrack; comicbooks; and numerous fan sites. The four most recent installments have reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

The property has been optioned before, notably in 2000, when NBC held the rights to make a miniseries based on "The Eye of the World."

Well its got a huge built in market. Lets hope Universal dosent upset the fans by turning it into a crappy movie. It looks like the fans dodged a bullit in 2000, I can only imagine what the TV sereis would have ended up being. If your not familiar with the books here is a liitle summary of the first book:

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow."Jordan is able to take ... familiar elements and make them his own, in a powerful novel of wide and complex scope. Open religious and political conflicts add a gritty realism, while the cities and courts provide plenty of drama and splendor. Women have a stronger role than in Tolkien.... Each character in this large cast remains distinct.... Their adventures are varied, and exciting.... The Eye of the World stands alone as a fantasy epic."--Locus"Robert Jordan has created a fantasy world as tangible and credible as history. He has a fine eye for detail and a vivid sense of drama."--Morgan Llewelyn"Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World proves that there's still plenty of life in the ancient tradition of epic fantasy. Jordan has a powerful vision of good and evil-- but what strikes me as most pleasurable about The Eye of the World is all the fascinating people moving through a rich and interesting world."

What do you think about all this? Do you think Universal will do the books justice?

The author of the book Robert Jordan Passed away last year. He was 58 years old. There is one more book set to be released and the ending is being written by a fellow scribe Brandon Sanderson. he is using Jordan's notes and tapes to finish the novel.